10 R&B Artists to Watch in 2022
JVCK JAMES
With the rise of social media, it can be easy to get lost in all the people coming out with new music. That’s why we’ve narrowed down 10 artists who we think are going to make waves in the R&B genre this year. In the past few years, these artists have proven to have exciting potential in the industry and have demonstrated growth in their craft.
DISCOVER | BY SARA SEHGAL
Jvck James
Popular UK R&B artist, Jvck James released his EP Joyride in 2021 and it was wildly successful. He cites artists like Frank Ocean and D’Angelo as inspirations and this is apparent in his music. His songs have a nostalgic feel as they pay tribute to soul and 90’s R&B with his own signature style. Jvck James isn’t afraid to explore new sounds putting him in place to become an R&B front runner in 2022.
Muni Long
Priscilla Renea began her career as a pop songwriter creating hit songs such as Rihanna’s “California King Bed”, Ariana Grande’s “Imagine,” and Pitbull and Kesha’s “Timber.” After multiple attempts at switching up genres, her co-manager Rashad Tyler proposed that she try singing R&B. To reinvent herself and get away from the stigma of being a songwriter, she changed her stage name to Muni Long. Towards the end of 2021, her song, “Hrs and Hrs,” went viral on Tik Tok and made it into top 20 on the Billboard charts. Record Labels that used to think of her as just another songwriter are now hoping to work with her.
Marzz
Laria McCormick, better known by stage name, Marzz, caught the attention of Grammy-winning producer Timbaland and together they teamed up to create several tracks. She garnered the attraction of multiple music fans after he posted her on his Instagram. She released, Love Letterz, her debut EP and explained that the songs are about the lessons she’s learned through various relationships. She also notes her mom as an inspiration for this project. After gaining a million views on her single “Countless Times,” her first album is set to come out sometime this year.
Reggie Becton
Over the past two years, Maryland singer Reggie Becton has dropped two EPs and finally released his first debut album, California, in 2021. The album is about his move from Maryland to California and the songs are an infusion of R&B and soul with a modern twist. He said to have taken inspiration from artists such as Marvin Gaye and Prince. “I want each song to be something that maybe you’re going through that you can’t put into words but now you have this fire song to sing along to,” Becton said about California. Reggie Becton aims to connect with his listeners through his music making him someone to follow in R&B.
Nija
Before making her debut as an artist, Nija Charles wrote hits like Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande’s “Rain On Me,” Drake and Chris Brown’s “No Guidance”, and Grammy-winning album The Carters Everything is Love. Recently, she released her album Don’t Say I Didn’t Warn You and in its press release, Nija said that “There’s a stigma against songwriters turning into artists because usually they give all their sauce away, but I’ve always made sure I went above and beyond people’s expectations, so don’t say I didn’t warn you about that.” Her alluring vocals and powerful lyrics make her someone to look out for in the R&B scene.
Samm Henshaw
UK artist, Samm Henshaw, released his debut album Untidy Soul this January. This album suggests that Henshaw isn’t afraid to combine multiple sounds from genres like gospel, jazz, soul, and hip hop. The album is personal and introspective focusing on topics such as self-worth and self-improvement. “I really want people to play my music to fit any vibe or emotion,” Henshaw says. His single, “Chicken Wings,” contains lush vocals and pitch-shifted melodies that can be found throughout the album.
Tamera
Tamera has grown a lot as an artist since reaching the finals of X-Factor when she was 16. She has a condition called synaesthesia that allows her to see colours when listening to music and it has guided her in songwriting. "When I listen to R&B I usually see deep blues and purples, emerald greens," she says. Produced by P2J, Tamera released her debut EP Aphrodite in November, 2021. Her music infuses a mix of afrobeat and R&B. “The mix of the two create a perfect blend of passion, vulnerability, fearlessness, sass, brutal honesty and vim,” she says. Tamera is putting her own unique print on the R&B genre.
Nippa
In 2020, London artist, Nippa, began his music career and already has multiple hit singles such as “Situation,” and “Pay the Price.” Near the end of 2021, he dropped his self-titled EP which contains R&B tunes with hints of rap. Nippa describes himself as a lover boy when it comes to his music. This can be seen in his song “Change My Tone,” which is about doing whatever it takes to get a girl that he likes. The music video has no love interest because it is meant to be figurative. “The love interest is you guys… the listeners. I’m saying I’m committed to go above and beyond for you and my music,” he explains. Nippa’s dedication to creating music places him as someone that deserves recognition.
Tems
Tems is coming off a breakthrough year in 2021 with successes like her feature on WizKid’s “Essence,” and on Drakes album Certified Lover Boy. She also came out with her critically acclaimed EP If Orange Was a Place.The Nigerian singer is set to grow even more in 2022 with her distinct voice and catchy melodies. Tems has since collaborated with major labels such as Sony’s RCA which has propelled her to gain mainstream attention.
Dee Gatti
Dee Gatti’s music is a combination of angelic vocals and vulnerable lyrics. It comes as a surprise that she has only been singing for less than two years. She describes her debut EP Just Called to Say as, “The story of a very intense relationship that I just got out of — and I know a lot of others have been through the trials and tribulations of a deep love, so they’ll definitely be able to relate.” Even though she's relatively new to music, you can feel the deep emotion in her songs that help you as a listener connects with her personally.
